Starz and Cinemax both introduce period dramas this week.
Starz' "Outlander" is based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon. For inexplicable reasons, a World War 2 era nurse finds her transported back two centuries in Scotland. It debuts on Saturday.
Cinemax on Friday introduces us to "The Knick," a drama about a New York hospital in the early 1900s which considers itself "cutting edge" in terms of medical care but is shockingly primitive compared to what we have today.
Among shows that are finishing up their seasons, there's Discovery's "Deadliest Catch" on Tuesday wrapping up its 10th season and Food Network's sturdy "Food Network Star" on Sunday, also finishing up its 10th season.
This covers Monday, August 4 through Sunday, August 10.
MONDAY
"Bachelor in Paradise" 8 p.m. ABC (new series) — Former contenders from "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" get a second chance at love.
"Running Wild With Bear Grylls " 8 p.m. NBC — Ben Stiller joins Bear for an adventure on Scotland's Isle of Skye, where they tackle mountains and Mother Nature.
"Masterchef " 8 p.m. Fox — The Top 11 chefs choose between two mystery boxes.
"Nixon By Nixon " 9 p.m. HBO — Clips of declassified audiotapes of White House conversations featuring candid observations by former president Richard Nixon on the Vietnam War, the Pentagon Papers, the Supreme Court, people of color, women, Jews and the media.
"Hotel Hell " 9 p.m. Fox — Ramsay visits the Applegate River Lodge in Oregon, which is plagued by problems stemming from the acrimonious divorce of its formerly married co-owners.
"Major Crimes " 9 p.m. TNT — The division probes the puzzling murder of a tech entrepreneur with dubious morals and possible mob ties.
"Partners " 9 p.m. FX (new series) — Martin Lawrence and Kelsey Grammer make unlikely legal partners.
"Jersey Belle " 10 p.m. Bravo (new series) — New Jersey entertainment publicist Jaime Primak Sullivan tries to adapt to Southern life after moving to Alabama.
"Longmire " 10 p.m. A&E (third season finale) — Walt seeks closure for his wife's murder in the Season 3 finale.
"Murder in the First " 10 p.m. TNT — The aftermath of the Erich Blunt verdict finds the department probing a new death swirling around a drug-addled socialite and her husband.
"Under the Dome " 10 p.m. CBS — Barbie and Sam investigate a mysterious tunnel.
TUESDAY
"CMA Music Festival" 8 p.m. ABC — Little Big Town return to host the annual event in Nashville that unfolded over four days in June 2014 and features Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, to name a few.
"Food Fighters " 8 p.m. NBC — A stay-at-home mother participates in a food fight against culinary experts. Atlanta Chef G. Garvin makes an appearance.
"Pretty Little Liars" 8 p.m. ABC Family — Hanna's drinking escalates, and Aria suspects Hanna lied to her while she was drunk.
"America's Got Talent" 9 p.m. NBC — Week two of quarterfinals.
"Deadliest Catch " 9 p.m. Discovery (10th season finale) — An arctic hurricane strikes the fleet.
"Rizzoli & Isles " 9 p.m. TNT — The contract killing of a woman outside a nightclub triggers the team's desperate efforts to find and protect a young witness to the crime.
"Royal Pains " 9 p.m. USA — Evan and Ray hold a grand opening for their joint venture.
"Covert Affairs " 10 p.m. USA — Annie and McQuaid search for an ex-CIA officer in Azerbaijan.
"Finding Carter " 10 p.m. MTV — Carter reveals her feelings for Crash.
"Hard Knocks " 10 p.m. HBO (ninth season debut) — The Atlanta Falcons are the focal.
"Perception " 10 p.m. TNT — A missing FBI agent is found dead in an investigation that forces Pierce to face a past unsolved case.
"Tyrant " 10 p.m. FX — Amira reveals a 20-year-old secret.
WEDNESDAY
"So You Think You Can Dance" 8 p.m. Fox — Kennesaw's Zack Everhart Jr. is in the top 10.
"Big Brother" 8 p.m. CBS — Lovejoy's Jocasta Odom is in the final 11.
"The Divide" 9 p.m. WE — Christine and Maxine pay a visit to Victor in prison.
"Suits" 9 p.m. USA — Mike and Rachel work closely with one another while Jessica and Harvey try to outmaneuver Sean Cahill.
"Who Do You Think You Are?" 9 p.m. TLC — Actor Rachel McAdams and her sister discover they have an English ancestor who came from a privileged background.
"The Bridge" 10 p.m. FX —Marco confronts an old enemy.
"Duck Dynasty" 10 p.m. A&E — Beavers cause problems for Phil.
"Extant" 10 p.m. CBS — John begins to doubt Molly's mental state when the validity of her pregnancy is questioned.
"Graceland" 10 p.m. USA — Charlie tries to bond with a bank robber while Johnny struggles to contain his feelings for the daughter of a cartel leader.
"Hot in Cleveland" 10 p.m. TV Land — Sparks fly between Victoria and J.J. and Melanie and Donald while Elka debates Councilman Powell.
"Top Chef: Duels" 10 p.m. Bravo (new series) — Each week, two chefs face off. This week: Atlanta's Richard Blais vs. Marcel Vigneron.
"Taxi Brooklyn" 10:01 p.m. NBC — Three men are mysteriously killed, with evidence pointing to a female murderer.
THURSDAY
"The Quest" 8 p.m. ABC — The Paladins display their field skills.
"Gang Related" 9 p.m. Fox — Javier pursues a deal with the DA's office.
"Project Runway" 9 p.m. Lifetime — Past Marie Claire magazines inspire the designers to create future looks.
"Rectify" 9 p.m. Sundance — A reluctant Daniel seeks help.
"Rookie Blue" 9 p.m. ABC — A suspicious home invasion is investigated by Dov and Chris.
"Rush" 9 p.m. USA — Rush's lunch with his stepmother leads to an unexpected outcome.
"Extreme Guide to Parenting" 9:30 p.m. Bravo (new series) — The title says it all. And parents watching won't be judgmental in the last, will they?
"Married " 10 p.m. FX — Russ and Lina deal with an overdue orthodontist bill.
"Garfunkel and Oates " 10 p.m. IFC (new series) — Because "Simon and Hall" didn't cut it.
"Satisfaction " 10 p.m. USA — Neil works on improving his public image while Grace makes an impulsive decision due to pressures at work.
"Last Comic Standing " 10 p.m. NBC — The final four comics - including Villa Rica's Rod Man - perform for the judges as the title round continues.
FRIDAY
"Cold Justice" 9 p.m. TNT — The bludgeoning death of a single mother is investigated. TNT renewed the show for a third season.
"Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders " 9 p.m. CMT (ninth season debut) — Season 9 begins with 500 ladies auditioning to become a member of the coveted squad.
"Monumental Mysteries " 9 p.m. Travel — The story of an ambitious scientist trying to play god is explored at the University of California at Berkeley.
"Redwood Kings " 9 p.m. Animal — John carves a giant moose from a 1000-lb. block of sugar pine.
"Almighty Johnsons " 10 p.m. Syfy — Axl lands in hot water when someone plants drugs in his car.
"The Knick " 10 p.m. Cinemax (new series) — A medical drama set in a 1900s New York City hospital.
"Funniest Wins " 10 p.m. TBS — The comics must write and shoot a commercial parody to screen for funnyman Jamie Kennedy and a live audience.
WEEKEND
"Cedar Cove" 8 p.m. tonight Hallmark — Olivia wants Grace to confront her ex-husband regarding his shady divorce deal.
"Outlander" 9 p.m. tonight Starz (new series) — A married British combat nurse time-travels from World War II to 1743 Scotland, where she is kidnapped by Highlanders and tends to an injured young warrior.
"Hell on Wheels" 9 p.m. tonight AMC= — Cullen challenges the Swede while planning his exit from Fort Smith.
"Teen Choices 2014" 8 p.m. Sunday Fox — "Teen Wolf" star Tyler Posey hosts.
"Food Network Star" 9 p.m. Sunday Food (10th season finale) — The winner is revealed. Lenny, anybody?
"Ray Donovan" 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Ray gets compromising information on Cochran, who is interrogating Mickey.
"The Last Ship" 9 p.m. Sunday TNT — Slattery assumes the role of commanding officer when Chandler and Tex get ensnared in a perilous situation.
"True Blood" 9 p.m. Sunday HBO — Eric mulls his options.
"Falling Skies" 10 p.m. Sunday TNT — Fallout from a destructive alien attack finds the 2nd Mass picking up the pieces
"The Leftovers" 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — Kevin orders an APB after learning that his father has escaped from the psychiatric hospital.
"The Lottery" 10 p.m. Sunday Lifetime — Vanessa has second thoughts about the lottery.
"Manhattan" 10 p.m. Sunday WGN — The loss of one of their own leaves the community reeling.
"Masters of Sex" 10 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Masters breaks new ground by continuing his study as the only white physician in a black hospital.
"Reckless" 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — Jamie and Roy find themselves pitted against each other in court.
"The Strain" 10 p.m. Sunday FX — Eph joins Setrakian's push for a quarantine.
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